City Council Approves ‘Living Wage’ Ordinance

The City Council has unanimously adopted a “living wage” ordinance that is expected to gain final passage and go into effect by the end of the year.

The ordinance regulates any firm that does more than $25,000 in business with the city during a period of three or more months, said a spokeswoman for the author, Councilman Paul Koretz.

It requires employers who provide employee health benefits to pay at least $7.25 an hour. Employers who do not provide health benefits must pay at least $8.50 an hour, she said.